RETURN OF THE CHAMPIONS
For centuries the Raramuri have lived in anonymity in one of the most remote regions of North America, Mexico’s Copper Canyons. It’s been said they are the world’s greatest runners. Christopher McDougall’s best-seller “Born to Run” brought their athletic prowess to the public eye in his book about their epic 50 mile ultra marathon.
BEING THE DIABLO
Winner Rivers Edge Film Festival
Winner Best Documentary ArtsFest Film Festival
Winner Best of Fest ArtsFest Film Festival
Official Selection Indie Memphis
Micky Mahaffey’s daughter Stephanie has spent most of her life defending and justifying her father’s choices. His quest for a deeper, yet more simple, spiritual life was constantly at odds with what Stephanie’s family and friends expected from a father. But his search for himself could not be derailed by what people thought of him. His path led him from being a popular young preacher to living homeless, from being committed to a mental institution to finally dancing with Tarahumara Indians at the bottom of a remote canyon in Mexico’s Sierra Madre. Being the Diablo retraces that path and illuminates the conflicts inherent.
MS GAY LATINA
Documentary film following contestants from the 3rd annual “Ms Gay Latina” transgendered beauty pageant in Asheville, North Carolina. Directed by Rod Murphy. Produced by Andie MacDowell, Paul Schattel, Pete Lutz and Rod Murphy. Current status – Post production.
BEFORE THE FIRST PITCH
ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES — Andie MacDowell stays pretty busy and doesn’t get out to McCormick Field ballpark as much as she would like.
But the actress based here loves baseball and spent some time at the park this summer with filmmaker Rod Murphy shooting the documentary “Before the First Pitch.” The seven-minute short, which details the backstage action leading up to an Asheville Tourists game.
“Baseball is such a fascinating sport,” said MacDowell, who does not appear in “Before the First Pitch,” but she said. “We wanted to keep it simple. It’s really inspiring when you see all the people who work out there. It gives you that feeling of excitement and anticipation of the game.”
GREATER SOUTHBRIDGE
Winner of 11 film festivals
The documentary Greater Southbridge cuts right to the heart, soul and funny bone of one small New England town’s collection of colorful and offbeat characters. Watching these marginalized people go through their daily routines, challenges, and victories, we see a mirror of our own problems and triumphs. Despite the economic and social issues the independent film touches on, the real story of Greater Southbridge is how its four main characters become a reflection of the town and subsequently America itself.
RANK STRANGERS
For their second feature, filmmakers Rod Murphy and Scott B. Morgan examine the entertaining and often poignant connections that make up what was once common – the American Community gathering. Shot on location in Asheville, North Carolina, RANK STRANGERS tells the story of Mrs. Hyatt’s weekly “jam” with her railroad-man husband Edward, as a way to unwind from the long and often hard life of farming, raising children and endless hours out on the rails.
